Friday, May 22, 2009

The Good 'Ole Days

First of all I would just like to say, I am sorry for abandoning my blog for a while. All I can say is - Writer's Block!





Depending whether or not you have been affected by the downhill turn that our economy has taken, what I am about to talk about might seem a bit shallow but just try to see the brighter side with me for a sec.



Let me just reiterate. I know that there are a lot of people struggling financially right now.

I personally remember having that particular staff meeting on that Tuesday in September and being told by the manager that Friday we will be shutting the doors. I had three days to find a job because I knew the bills would not stop coming just because the paycheck stop coming.





Mine is just one of the millions of stories of people who have experienced a job loss.





But can I just share a few good things that have come out of all this?





Oh, good I knew you would want to hear me ramble! (haha wink wink)





-People are realizing where they have been throwing there money away all this time. Like the guy who finally read his cell phone bill. Really read it and cut back minutes when he never used them in the first place. People are getting rid of a lot of waste.





-Others have to do without luxury staples like TV. I LOVE this one, because it means people are getting outside and spending more time with there families! Like the good 'ole days when kids played outside 'till dark.





-Speaking of getting outside, we are growing a garden! It's healthy and it saves on the grocery bill.





-I especially appreciate the one story where the husband loses his job so the wife goes back to work. So guess who's picking the kids up from school and cleaning the bathrooms and cooking the meals. I think the husband has a new found appreciation for what the wife has been doing all this time! I bet it does wonders for getting a little help now and then.





Maybe this economic turn is a sign that people will get back to there roots and start realizing what's important. At least we can all hope.





Let us reflect on the changes over the years.



1957 VS 2009


Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2009 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.


Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2009 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.


Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.

1957 - Ants die.

2009- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

4 comments:

Darlene said...

great post! We are currently the scenario of the stay at home dad, although he has always helped - just more so now!

Darlene said...

PS I call him my house husband!

Becky said...

Great post Kasey!! Many of us are realizing a lot the things we THOUGHT were needed are really just wants...

Abbi said...

girl, this post is awesome!! it's sooo true!!! i really enjoyed reading!!!
glad yall came down this past weekend! we'll have to do it again!